Adjustable Testing Tool and Method of Use

• US 20080066535A1
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Published: 03/20/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/18/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Original Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation (SLB)
• Inventors: Adur, Nicolas, Castilho, Antonio, Ribeiro, Gustavo Andreolli, Pedersen, Arne Richard, Vasques, Ricardo, Ayan, Cosan
• Application Number:
  US11/693,147
• Publication Number:
  US 20080066535A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/152.17
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 33/1246 inflated by down-hole pumping means operated by a pipe string
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/08 Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
• CPC Class Codes: E21B 49/081 with down-hole means for trapping a fluid sample E21B49/10 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and systems for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore are provided. A testing tool has a plurality of packers spaced apart along the axis of the tool, and at least a testing port. The testing tool is positioned into the wellbore and packers are extended into sealing engagement with the wellbore wall, sealing thereby an interval of the wellbore. In some embodiments, the wellbore interval sealed between two packers is adjusted downhole. In one embodiment, the location of the testing port is adjusted between two packers. The methods may be used to advantage for reducing the contamination of the formation fluid by fluids or debris in the wellbore.

Claims

1. A method for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising:

positioning the testing tool in the wellbore, the testing tool comprising a tool body, a plurality of packer elements spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the tool body, and at least one port on the tool body located between two of the plurality of packer elements;

selecting in situ the length of an interval of the wellbore to be sealed;

extending at least two packer elements into sealing engagement with the wellbore wall;

sealing the interval of the wellbore with the two packer elements; and

flowing fluid between the sealed interval and the testing tool through the port.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein selecting in situ the length of an interval on the wellbore wall to be sealed comprises sliding a packer element along the longitudinal axis of the tool body.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein

the downhole tool further comprises at least three packer elements;

and

selecting in situ the length of an interval on the wellbore wall to be scaled comprises selectively enabling the extension of a first and a second packer elements.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein

the downhole tool further comprises a plurality of ports associated to a plurality of valves;

and

the method further comprises selectively opening a valve to establish the fluid communication through the port associated with this valve.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising extending a third packer element into sealing engagement with the wellbore wall.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the third packer element is located between the first and second packer elements.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein

the downhole tool further comprises a plurality of ports associated to a plurality of valves;

and

the method further comprises selectively opening a valve to establish the fluid communication through the port associated with this valve.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the selecting in situ the length of an interval on the wellbore wall to be sealed is based on the value of a measured property by a downhole tool.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising pulverizing particles carried by the fluid flowed through the port.

10. A method for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising:

positioning a testing tool in the wellbore, the testing tool comprising a tool body, a plurality of packer elements spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the tool body, and at least one port on the tool body located between two of the plurality of packer elements;

extending at least two packer elements into sealing engagement with the wellbore wall;

sealing a first interval of the wellbore;

flowing fluid between the first sealed interval and the testing tool through the port;

extending a third packer element into sealing engagement with the wellbore wall; and

sealing a second interval of the wellbore.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising flowing fluid from the second sealed interval into the testing tool through the port.

12. The method of claim 10 wherein the second interval being comprised in the first interval.

13. The method of claim 10 wherein

the downhole tool further comprises a plurality of ports;

the method further comprises flowing fluid from the second sealed interval into the testing tool through another port.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein

the downhole tool further comprises a cavity in fluid communication with the port on tool body, the cavity carrying a material;

and

flowing fluid between the first sealed interval and the testing tool through the port comprises releasing the material in the wellbore.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein

the downhole tool further comprises a cavity in fluid communication with the port on tool body;

and

flowing fluid between the first sealed interval and the testing tool through the port comprises drawing fluid into the cavity.

16. The method of claim 10 wherein

the downhole tool further comprises a sensor;

and

the method further comprises monitoring a property with the sensor.

17. The method of claim 16 further wherein extending another packer element into sealing engagement with the wellbore wall is triggered by the monitored property.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising pulverizing particles carried by the fluid flowed through the port.

19. A method for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the method comprising:

adjusting a port on a testing tool, the testing tool comprising a tool body, a plurality of packer elements spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the tool body, and at least a port on the tool body located between two of the plurality of packer elements;

positioning the testing tool in the wellbore;

extending at least two packer elements into sealing engagement with the wellbore wall;

sealing an interval of the wellbore; and

draining fluid from the sealed interval into the testing tool through the adjusted port.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein

the testing tool further comprises a screen filter;

and

the method further comprises adjusting a characteristic of the screen filter.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising reducing the fluid volume trapped in the sealed interval by selecting the outer diameter of the snorkel assembly.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein adjusting a port comprises adjusting the location of the port within a packer interval.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein adjusting a port on a testing tool comprises adapting a snorkel assembly on the testing tool, the snorkel assembly comprising a snorkel port and a fluid communication between the port on the tool body and the snorkel port, the snorkel port and the tool port being substantially offset from each other.

24. A system for testing a subterranean formation penetrated by a wellbore, the system comprising:

a testing tool comprising a tool body, a plurality of packer elements spaced apart from one another along the longitudinal axis of the tool body, and at least a port on the tool body located between two packer elements; and

a snorkel assembly adaptable on the testing tool comprising a snorkel port and a fluid communication between the port on the tool body and the snorkel port, the snorkel port and the tool port being substantially offset from each other.

25. The system of claim 24 further comprising a screen filter.

26. The system of claim 24 wherein the snorkel port is located at a different level with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tool body than the port on the tool body.

27. The system of claim 24 wherein the snorkel port extends around the circumference of the tool.

28. The system of claim 24 further comprising:

a flow line in the testing tool, the flow line being in fluid communication with the port on the tool; and

an ultrasonic transmitter for emitting a wave in the flow line.

29. The system of claim 24 further comprising:

a flow line in the testing tool, the flow line being in fluid communication with the port on the tool; and

a laser diode for emitting a wave in the flow line.